Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Taupo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Taupo or Boracay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Taupo or Boracay? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Taupo or Boracay?
Taupo
Taupo is a town located in the center of the North Island, situated on the shores of Lake Taupo, which is New Zealand's largest lake. It is also the caldera of the Taupo Volcano. It has a population of 23,700 people and is visited by many people interested in fishing, boating, and other water activities. There are many hiking and biking trails that take you around the water as well.
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines.
-
Taupo Prices
New Zealand PricesBoracay Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTaupo $128Boracay $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Taupo is $128, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $66. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Taupo and Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTaupo $62Boracay $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTaupo $124Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Taupo and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Taupo or Boracay? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Taupo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Taupo $25Boracay $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taupo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Taupo:
- Tongariro Crossing : 2 Day PRIVATE TRANSFER Leaving AUCKLAND: $1,113
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $29
- Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
- Boracay to Caticlan Airport (MPH) - Departure Private Transfer: $26
- Boracay to Caticlan Airport (MPH) - Departure Private Transfer: $26
- Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
- Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
- Two-way Shared Transfer from/to Airport to Hotel: $34
- Caticlan Airport (MPH) to Boracay - Arrival Private Transfer : $24
- Caticlan Airport (MPH) to Boracay - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
- Caticlan Airport (MPH) to Boracay - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $53
- Caticlan: 1-Way or Roundtrip Airport Transfer to Boracay: $27
- Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Taupo or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay and Taupo change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayTaupo $41Boracay $25
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Taupo $34Boracay $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Taupo
Here are a few typical costs in Taupo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Bungy Jumping$151
-
Jet Boating$56
Tours and Activities in Taupo
Here are a few actual costs in Taupo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Marvelous Circus: $22
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Candy Cottage: $22
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Cursed Cabin: $22
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Hunting Lodge: $22
- Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave Entry Ticket: $29
- Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise aboard Ernest Kemp: $30
- Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako: $30
- Lake Maori Rock Carvings 10.30 AM 1.5-Hour Cruise: $35
- Lake 1.5-Hour Maori Rock Carvings 5:00 PM Cruise: $35
- Lake Maori Rock Carvings 8.30 AM 1.5-Hour Cruise: $35
- Maori Rock Carvings - Taupo Sailing Adventures - Kindred Spirit: $35
- Daily Scenic Maori Rock Carving Cruise Taupo: $35
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Crystal Kayak Photo-op Experience: $6.27
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $8.95
- Banana Boat Adventure: $10
- Boracay Private Land Tour: $13
- Flying Donut Water Tubing Experience: $14
- All-Terrain Vehicle or Buggy Car Experience: $15
- Boracay UFO Adventure: $16
- Sunset Cruise with Water Activities: $16
- Boracay Sunset Cruise: $16
- Boracay Island Rhythm Sunset Cruise: $17
- Bandwagon Ride Experience: $17
- Sunset Cruise Boat Party by Haqqy Life: $18
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTaupo $13Boracay $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Taupo
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Taupo from other travelers:
-
Wine$5.03
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Taupo and Boracay, we can see that Taupo is more expensive. And not only is Boracay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Taupo is in Pacific and Boracay is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Boracay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boracay and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Taupo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taupo than you might in Boracay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Taupo Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Taupo or Boracay?
Taupo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Taupo and Boracay, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.